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INFO.COLUMNS

Applies to: Calculated column Calculated table Measure Visual calculation DAX query

Returns a table with information about each column in the semantic model. This function provides metadata about all columns including their properties and characteristics.

Syntax

INFO.COLUMNS ( [<Restriction name>, <Restriction value>], ... )

Parameters

Parameters are optional for this DAX function. When parameters are used, both must be given. More than one pair of parameters is allowed. The restriction name and value are text and entered in double-quotes.

Term Definition
Restriction name Name of the restriction used to filter the results.
Restriction value Value used to filter the results of the restriction.

Restrictions

Typically, all columns of the DAX function results can be used as a restriction. Additional restrictions may also be allowed.

Return value

A table with the following columns:

Column Data type Description
[ID] Integer Unique identifier for the column
[TableID] Integer Identifier of the table that contains this column
[ExplicitName] String The explicitly defined name of the column
[InferredName] String The inferred name of the column
[ExplicitDataType] Integer The explicitly defined data type of the column
[InferredDataType] Integer The inferred data type of the column
[DataCategory] String The data category classification for the column
[Description] String The description of the column
[IsHidden] Boolean Whether the column is hidden from client tools
[State] Integer The current state of the column
[IsUnique] Boolean Whether the column contains unique values
[IsKey] Boolean Whether the column is a key column
[IsNullable] Boolean Whether the column can contain null values
[Alignment] Integer The alignment setting for the column
[TableDetailPosition] Integer The position of the column in table detail views
[IsDefaultLabel] Boolean Whether this column is the default label
[IsDefaultImage] Boolean Whether this column is the default image
[SummarizeBy] Integer How the column should be summarized
[ColumnStorageID] Integer Identifier for the column's storage
[Type] Integer The type classification of the column
[SourceColumn] String The source column name
[ColumnOriginID] Integer Identifier for the column's origin
[Expression] String The DAX expression for calculated columns
[FormatString] String The format string for the column
[IsAvailableInMDX] Boolean Whether the column is available in MDX queries
[SortByColumnID] Integer Identifier of the column to sort by
[AttributeHierarchyID] Integer Identifier of the attribute hierarchy
[ModifiedTime] DateTime When the column was last modified
[StructureModifiedTime] DateTime When the column structure was last modified
[RefreshedTime] DateTime When the column data was last refreshed
[SystemFlags] Integer System flags for the column
[KeepUniqueRows] Boolean Whether to keep unique rows
[DisplayOrdinal] Integer The display order of the column
[ErrorMessage] String Any error message associated with the column
[SourceProviderType] String The source provider type
[DisplayFolder] String The display folder for organizing columns
[EncodingHint] Integer Encoding hint for the column
[RelatedColumnDetailsID] Integer Identifier for related column details
[AlternateOfID] Integer Identifier if this is an alternate of another column
[LineageTag] String The lineage tag for tracking column lineage
[SourceLineageTag] String The source lineage tag

Remarks

  • Typically used in DAX queries to inspect and document model metadata.
  • Permissions required depend on the host. Querying full metadata may require model admin permissions.

Example

The following DAX query can be run in DAX query view:

EVALUATE
	INFO.COLUMNS()

Example 2 - DAX query with joins

The following DAX query can be run in DAX query view:

EVALUATE
	VAR _Columns =
		INFO.COLUMNS()

	VAR _Tables = 
		SELECTCOLUMNS(
			INFO.TABLES(),
			"TableID", [ID],
			"Table Name", [Name]
		)

	VAR _CombinedTable =
		NATURALLEFTOUTERJOIN(
			_Columns,
			_Tables
		)

	RETURN
		SELECTCOLUMNS(
			_CombinedTable,
			"Table Name", [Table Name],
			"Column Name", [ExplicitName],
			"Data Type", [ExplicitDataType],
			"Is Hidden", [IsHidden],
			"Is Key", [IsKey]
		)
	ORDER BY [Table Name], [Column Name]

See also

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